We have a lot of respect for each other and both like similar things such as motor bikes. We’re cut from the same cloth

Carl Froch

Nottingham’s IBF super-middleweight king faces his mate in a unification battle at London’s O2 Arena.

Froch, 35, is desperate to get revenge against Kessler, who beat him on points in their first torrid battle in April 2010.

Despite suffering his first professional defeat that night, Froch kept in touch with his Viking rival.

He even gave him advice before the Dane beat Brian Magee to become WBA champion in December.

Kessler beat the Irishman in three rounds to set up the rematch against Froch that will draw a 16,000 sell-out crowd.

Froch, who beat Magee almost seven years ago, said: “I spoke to Mikkel the day he boxed Magee.

“I told him to keep firing right hands to the body because Magee wouldn’t like it and it worked.

“I’ve kept in touch with Mikkel for three years and we were texting each other regularly until this rematch got made.

“We have a lot of respect for each other and both like similar things such as motor bikes. We’re cut from the same cloth.”

Froch’s only other loss in a magnificent 32 fight career came against Andre Ward 17 months ago, but the Kessler defeat hurts most.

That fight was in Kessler’s backyard in Herning, but this time the English warrior has home advantage and believes that will count.

Froch, who has trained for this fight in Sheffield, added: “If I lost to Mikkel again I would be devastated, but I feel there is an air of invincibility about me and I cannot wait to put the record right.